Hey, I have a leaking freeze plug and have a quote from a mechanic to replace all 5 (around 500 bucks due to labor). I don’t have the time to pull everything apart with my work. As a temporary fix until I can get enough money to fix it properly will Bars Liquid Aluminum be okay to put it? It won’t be permanent, just until after tax season/christmas season or if I get a good bonus. Thanks in advanced.

 

Only if you want to replace your heater core...

 

instead of that, clean it up as best you can and use various 2 part products that set quick and waterproof

I have found a very good product that is easy is "Quick Steel" It comes in a small sausage with outer & inner layer, mix like playdough, it will set like metal, is good for sealing water leaks

Coolant is slippery, so you should drain a bit so that the plug is not weeping. Clean it well

 

I wouldn't use any stop leaks in it. Do you know which one is leaking? If it is one on the side of the block you could knock it out and use a temporary rubber expandable one. I actually rac those in a race car I had so I could pull them to drain my block for the winter.

 

I would let it leak before I put a "stop leak" in the radiator. Heater core is a lot more expensive to fix if it clogs it up than adding coolant when needed.

 

DO NOT put stop leak of any kind in..

Fix the actual problem and be done with it

A previous owner did this with my ride and I'm still paying the price.

Just got my heater core flushed and was told it was clogged due to PO using a radiator stop leak product...

 

^Agreed. I did this one time on another vehicle. Stop leak = stop flow for me. Almost overheated it the next day on the way to work due to the stop leak plugging up passages in the radiator.

 

I would imagine even in a temporary fix situation you'd pull the intake/exhaust manifolds to address a side plug issue?

Really if your pulling those manifolds off you might as well do it correctly. There are no specialty tools required and this could be done in a single day. I've used permatex Indian head shellac in the passed and had repeated success. Driver side of the motor could be freed of accessories in an hour or 2 if your not savy, replacing the plugs after drain and prep could be an hour. Install new plugs and let shellac setup overnight if possible but regardless - re assemble then refill system the next day and you'd be good to go

 

I replaced a leaking freeze plug with a block heater in my XJ. Comes in handy.